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No. 625,243. Patented May I6, I899.

.1. r. BREWSTER & n. M. GILL.

FIRE BUILDING AND KlNDLlNG DEVICE.

(Application filed June 30, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 625,243. Patented May l6, I899. J. F. BREWSTER &. B. M. GILL.

FIRE BUILDING AND KINDLING DEVICE.

(Application filed June 80, 1898.) 4N0 Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 625,243. Patented May I6; I899. J. F. BREWSTER 81. B. M. GILL.

FIRE BUILDING AND KINDLING DEVICE.

(Application filed June 30, 1 898.) 1N0 Model.) a 3 Shouts-Sheet 3.

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Ix 6 WM UNITED STATES PATENT ()FEIcE.

JAMES F. BREIVSTER AND RICHARD MONROE GILL, OF DARBONNE, LOUISIANA; SAID BREIVSTER ASSIGNOR TO SAID GILL.

FIRE BUILDING AND KINDLING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 625,243, dated May 16, 1899.

Application filed June 30, 1898.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES F. BREWSTER and RICHARD MONROE GILL, citizens of the United States, residing at DArbonne, in'the parish of Union and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fire'Building and Kindling Devices; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to automatic fire builders and kindlers, the object in view heing to provide mechanism by means of which at a predetermined time a quantity of fuel may be placed upon a grate and a fire kindled, the said mechanism being set in motion by means of an alarm-clock and thereafter operating automatically first to place the fuel upon the grate and then to kindle the same. The parts of the mechanism are so constructed, arranged, and combined that after the fuel has been deposited upon the grate the fuelcarrying devices will be automatically swung away from the grate, so as to be out of the way, and the kindling device will then be thrown into operation for starting the fire.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully pointed out in the course of the subjoined description.

The invention consistsin a fire builder and kindler embodying certain novel features and detailsof construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claims hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of a fireplace, showing the mechanism for building and kindling the fire. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view showing one form of fuel-carrier for supplying wood to the grate, also showing means for automatically supplying oil to the fuel. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing another form of fuelcarrier especially adapted for coal. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view showing the torch'bearing arm, the means whereby the same is actuated, and the releasing means therefor. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view .spiral for actuating the main shaft.

Serial No. 684,863. No model.)

of the upper bracket and nut. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the upper end of the screw or Fig. 7 is a similar view of the kindleror torch, showing also the reticulated kindling-shelf and the torch-bearing arm. Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the igniting device. Fig. 9 isa similar View of the clock-shelf. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of the fuel-carrying arm, showing the catch for engagement with the triplever shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detached perspective view of the alarm-winder key of the clock. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing an andiron and trifurcated brace and fuel-divider applied thereto. Fig. 13 is a detail section showing the means for operating the torch-arm. Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail View of the latches shown in Fig. Similar nu merals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates an open fireplace in which are arranged dogs or andirons 2, upon which the wood or fuel is to be deposited. (See Fig. 1.)

In carrying out the presentinvention a vertical shaft 3 is employed, the same being capable of a rotative as well as a longitudinallysliding movement. The shaft 3'is mounted in brackets 4 and 5, which are secured rigidly to the wall or other convenient support. The upper bracket is provided with a horizontal portion 6, having an opening to receive the shaft 3, and provided in its upper side with a recess or socket 7 to receive a nut 8, havinga rectangular opening 9. (See Fig. 5.) The upper end of the shaft 3 is provided with a screw or spiral 10, which is formed from a fiat piece of metal, the same being rectangular in cross-section, so as to pass through and slide in the slot 9 of the nut S. The screw or spiral 10 is reversely twisted, the lower portion of the spiral being given, for instance, a left-handed twist, while the upper portion of the spiral is given a reverse or right-handed twist, the idea being that when the shaft 3 moves downward it will be rotated for approximately one-half a revolutionin one direction, and upon its further downward progress the direction of the rotation will be reversed, so as to turn the shaft through another half-revo lution, but in the opposite direction, the object of which will be hereinafter explained.

In setting the apparatus for building and kindling a fire the shaft 3 is elevated, (see Fig. 1,) and in this movement the nut S is at the same time carried upward out of its recess 7 in the bracket 4, whereupon said nut gravitates and runs down the double spiral until it again rests in the recess 7. The shaft 3 is hung and supported by the-spiral 10, nut 8, and bracket 4 when in the set position shown in Fig. 1 until released by a clock mechanism hereinafter described,whereupon as the shaft descends it is given the double or reverse rotative movementhereinabove referred to.

Extending at right angles to the shaft 3 is a fuel-carrying arm 11, which is connected to the shaft by means of a sleeve 12 in the form of a T, said sleeve havinga binding'screw 13,

' by which it may be held at any point on the shaft 3 when slid upward or downward thereon. The object in providing this adjustment is to regulate the height of the fuel-carrying arm to correspond with the height of the andirons or grate, thus making the device adaptable to any fireplace. The arm 11 is preferably tubular for the sake of lightness, and also the shaft 3, and said arm and shaft are connected by a brace 14, having its opposite ends hooked at 15 to engage bolts 16, connecting the ends of clips 17, extending around the arm 11 and shaft 3. By loosening the bolts 16 the clips 17 may be adjusted lengthwise of the arm 11 and shaft 3, so as to regulate the angle of the arm relatively to the shaft.

Mounted upon the fuel-carrying arm are clips 18, adjustable and held by means of binding-screws 19 and provided with parallel ears 20, between which are pivotally received fuel-carrier members 21. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) The ears 20 are connected at one side by a web 22, thus forming what resembles a knuckle-joint, which will allow the fuel-carrier members to be folded in one direction in parallel relation to the arm 11 and which will limit the outward movement of the fuel-carriers, so that they will stand at substantially a right angle to the arm 11. At its outer end the body of the fuel-carrier is bent and extended downward, as indicated at 23, and has pivotally connected to its pendent extremity a trigger 24, pivotally connected at 25 to the part 23 and carrying at its lower end a T-shaped foot 26. Adjacent to its inner end the fuel-carrier is provided with a pendent rod 27, the lower end of which is bifurcated to receive pivotally a fuel-rest 28. The rest 28 is pivotally connected to the rod 27 at a point intermediate the ends of the rest, and the forward end of the rest is bifurcated or slotted, as at 29, to receive the trigger 24, the foot 26 of the trigger being adapted to underlie the extremity of the rest 28 for the purpose of supporting the latter when the wood or fuel is resting thereon. The trigger is provided at its upper end with a looped head 30, which upon coming in contact with the back of the fireplace when the fuel-carrier is swung into the fireplace willrock the trigger upon its pivotal connection with the fuel-carrier, thereby reand rests are employed, so that the logs or pieces of wood are supported at distant points near their opposite. ends. Each of the fuelrests is provided in rear of its pivotal connection with the carrier with a weight 31, which serves to restore the rest to its normal horizontal position when relieved of the weight of the fuel. Connected to one of the rests 28 in rear of its pivot is a bracket 32, which extends upward and inward toward the other fuel-carrier and has attached rigid-1y thereto an oil-cup 33,having rigidly connected to its bottom a saucer 34 to catch the drip from the cup after the cup is restored to its normal position. The bracket 32 and cup 33 also assist by reason of their weightin restoring the rest to its horizontal position. As the rest drops when the fuel is deposited upon the grate, the cup 33, containing the oil, is tipped over above the fuel and the oil pours down upon the fuel and saturates the same preparatory to the ignition thereof. the cup is restored to its upright position, the saucer 34 catches any surplus or dripping oil and prevents the same from being deposited upon the floor or carpet. Vhcn not in use, the f uel-carriers may be folded in parallel relation to the fuel-carrying arm and against the wall, so as to be out of the way.

In Fig.- 3 we have shown another form of fuel-carrier which is adapted to coal and small fuel. In this instance the fuel-carrier isin the form of a hopper 35, having downwardlyconverging bottom walls 36, which are hinged at their outer opposite edges to the main body of the hopper, as shown at 37. Each of the bottoms 36 is provided at one edge with a catch 38, the extremity of which is hooked,

as indicated at 39. Then the bottoms 36 are closed, the hooks 39 pass by each other, so as to receive between them the lower end of a pivoted trigger 40, similar in other respects to the trigger 30 above described and adapted to be moved by coming in contact with the back of the fireplace for releasing the 'pivoted bottoms 36 and allowing the coal or other fuel to be deposited upon the grate.

The fuel-carrying arm 11 is provided at a suitable point with a catch 41, (see Fig. 10,) consisting of a strip of metal encircling said arm and having its ends clamped by means of a screw 42, thereby providing for the longitudinal adjustment of the catch 41 upon the arm 11. The catch 41 is designed to be engaged by the lower end of atrip-lever 43, (see Fig. 9,) which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends at 44 upon the back wall or board 45 of a clock-shelf 46, having sides 47 lVhen to prevent lateral movement of the clock and mechanism is thrown into operation.

hold the same rigidly upon the shelf,while at the same time allowing the clock to be removed for winding and setting. The lever 43 works at its lower portion in an elongated guide 48 in the form of a staple, so as to better take the strain on the arm 43 caused by the tendency of the fuel-carrying arm 11 to swing away from the same. The upper portion of the trip-lever 43 works through a slot 49 in the shelf 46 and againsta bearing-plate 50 on the back 45. The clock, as shown at 51, is provided with an alarm-winding key 52, Fig. 11, the wings of which are concaved at their extremities, as shown at 53, so as to insure the engagement of said wings with the upper end of the trip-lever 43 when the alarm As the key 52 turns, the extremity of one of its wings operates against the upper end of the triplever 43, thereby vibrating said lever and causing its lower end to pass out of engagement with the catch 41, thus releasing the fuelcarrying arm 11. When released, the arm 11 swings away from the wall, this being caused by the descent of the shaft 3 and the engagement of its screw or spiral 10 with the nut 9. As the shaft 3 descends it also turns and the fuel-carrying arm 11 swings through a halfcircle or from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to the dotted-line position, thus carrying the fuel into the open fireplace and above the grate or andirons. As the arm 11 swings inward to the fireplace the triggers 30 or 40, as the case may be, strike against the back of the fireplace, and the fuel is thereby released in the manner above described, and as the shaft continues its downward movement the spiral or screw 10 operates to reverse the rotative movement of the shaft 3, thus causing the arm 11 to swing back to its position against the wall, but in a lower plane than it formerly occupied. In the backward movement of the arm 11 the fuel-rests 28 are restored to their horizontal positions by the c0unterbalance-weights above described.

pending shaft-socket 54, (see Fig. 4,) and the shaft 3 has its lower end reduced, as indicated at 55, so as to enter and slide downward in said socket. The reduction of the end of the shaft 3 also forms a shoulder 56, the purpose of which will appear. Mounted rotatably and slidingly in the socket 54 is a hollow cylindrical runner 57. (See Fig. 13.) The torchbearing arm is connected to the runner 5S and projects substantially at a right angle to the socket 54, the said arm 60 being telescopic, so that it may be lengthened and shortened, consisting for this purpose of a tubular portion 61 and a removable extension-rod 62, slidable in the tube 61 and held by means of a pin 63, carried by the rod 62 and adapted to traverse a longitudinal slot in the tube 61 and to engage any one of a-series of notches 63. The arm 11 is made extensible in the same manner. The arm 60 movesin aspiral slot 59 in the tubular socket 54 and is encircled by a roller 58,which runs in the slot and reduces friction.

The arm 60 carriesa kindler 64 (see Fig. 7) of any suitable or preferred construction, preferably formed of asbestos and adapted to be saturated with oil. The kindler 64 proper is carried at the end of a stem 65,which at its inner end is provided with shoulders 66 in the form of disks, mounted at spaced points on the stem and adapted to straddle the arm 60. The arm 60 has in its upper side a notch 67 to receive the stem 65, sothat the shoulders 66 will lie on opposite sides of the torch-bearing arm and prevent the accidental displacemen t of the stem 66, while permitting said stem and kindler to'be removed easily for the purpose of saturating the same with oil. We also providein connection with the kindler or torch 64 a reticulated kindlingshelf 68, consisting, conveniently, of a wire frame bent in substantially U shape and having its extremities inserted in openings 69 in the arm 60, whereby it can be removed when not needed. The outer or projecting portion of the shelf is provided with a suitable network 70 of Wire or non-inflammable material interwoven or meshed, as shown, to form a support for kindling material and to admit of a free draft from underneath.

Connected to the upper side of the lower bracket 5 is a release-spring 71, (see Fig. 4,) which encircles the portion 55 of the shaft 3 and is secured at one end by fasteners 72 to said lower bracket. The spring inclines upward toward its opposite or free end and has pivotally connected thereto a release-hook 73, the lower end of which is bent, as at 74, to partially embrace and engage the torchbearing arm. As the fuel carrying arm -reaches the limit of its return movement the shoulder 56 of the shaft 3 descends and bears upon the spring 71, depressing said spring and the release-hook 73, carried thereby, and thus disengaging said hook from the torchbearing arm, which is thereby allowed to de- The lower bracket 5 is provided with adescend. In the downward movement of the torch-bearing arm the stud 58 traverses the spiral way 59, and said arm is thus caused to swing through a half-circle or more, if necessary, thereby carrying the kindler and its underlying shelf beneath the grate or fuel deposited on the andirons, and the kindler having been previously ignited by means hereinafter described the flame is communi cated to the fuel on the grate or andirons, thus starting the fire;

The igniting device (see Fig. 8) consists of a base 75, which at one end is connected pivotally to the floor by means of a screw 76, the other end being free to be swung toward or away from the wall, thus enabling the igniting device to be folded into compact relation to the wall, as well as the other parts of device. At the free end of the base 75 is a standard 77, having at its upper end and projecting from one side thereof a bracket '78, connected to the standard 77 by the horizonm1 portion 79. Mounted in' the standard 77 and bracket '78 is a horizontal rock-shaft 80, one end of which projects on one side of the standard, where it is provided with an opening 81 to slidingly receive a weighted actuating-arm 82, said arm being adjustable in the opening 81 and held fixed by means of a binding-screw 83 passing through the shaft and bearing against said arm. The arm 82 is bent at 84 and extended at a right angle to form an end portion 85, upon which is ad- 3' u stably mounted a sliding weight 86, capable of being held by means of a set-screw 87, the

weight serving to rock the arm with greater or less rapidity, depending upon the position of the weight upon the arm. The extremity of the end portion 85 is bent at an angle to form a hook 88, which may be engaged with the fuel on the rests 28 by inserting the hook .88 between adjacent logs orcausing said hook to bear against the under side of one of the logs or against the fuel-carrier itself.

The rock-shaft 80 carries two plates 89, spaced a suitable distance apart and connected by a bar or rod 90. The plates 89 are also provided with alining openings and recesses or sockets 91 to receive matches 92, the forward plate having holes and the rear plate sockets. Connected to the horizontal portion 79 of the bracket 78' is a springscratch-plate 93, having a roughened surface to engage the heads of the matches and ignite the same as the matches are swung with the rock-shaft 80 by means of the weighted arm 82 when the latter is released, said arm being released as the fuel moves toward the fireplace. portion of the plate 93 is considerably wider than that part which is secured to the bracket 78, so that when the device is set the heads of the matches 92 will lie on opposite sides of the plate 93. WVhen the igniting device is released, however, the heads of the matches will come in contact with the wide end of the plate 93 and scratch against the roughened surface thereof, thus igniting the matches, which then swing beneath the kindler 64 and shelf 68, setting fire to the kindling on the shelf and the torch or kindler.

The general operation of the fire builder and kindler may be described as follows: Starting with the apparatus set as shown in Fig. 1, when the alarm-clock reaches the time at which the alarm mechanism has been set to operate the key 52 starts to turn and one of the wings thereof strikes against the triplever 43, vibrating the latter and rocking its lower end out of engagement with the catch 41, thus releasing the fuelcarrying arm. This arm immediately begins to swing away from the wall, the shaft 3 at the same time descending and causing the arm 11 to swing. The fuel previously deposited upon the fuel carrier or carriers is thereby moved toward the fireplace, and upon entering the fireplace the triggers 30 or 40, as the case may be, come in contact with the rear wall of the fireplace and are operated, thus releasing the The end' grates and andirons of different heights. will also be understood that the apparatusfuel-rests and allowing them to drop under the weight of the fuel. The fuel is thus deposited upon the grate or andirons, and in the further downward movement of the shaft 3 the arm 11 is swung backward to a position against the wall, the fuel-rests at the same time being restored to their normal positions by the means above described, and thereby enabling the fuel-carriers to pass over the torch-bearing arm, which has not yet been released. Just as the fuel carrying arm reaches the limit of its return movement the shoulder 56 strikes against the spring 71 and efiects a disengagement of the hook 73 from thetorch-bearing arm 60. This arm immediately begins to descend, and by reason of the engagement of the stud 58 with the spiral way 59, the torch-bearing arm is swung through a half-circle and caused to carry the torch and kindling beneath the grate or fuel on the andirons. As the fuel-carrier starts forward the fuel or fuel-carrier passes out of engagement with the weighted arm 82 of the igniting device, thus allowing the weight to actuate the match-carrier and scratch the matches against the scratch-plate 93, so that while the fuel is being carried toward and deposited in the fireplace and while the fuelcarrying arm is being returned to its position of rest against the wall the matches are setting fire to the torch and kindling material on the shelf 68, and as soon as the fuelcarrying arm reaches its position of rest the igniting-torch starts forward and is inserted beneath the fuel or grate, remaining in this position and allowing the fuel to be thoroughly ignited.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that it is not necessary to put out the fire in the fireplace before retiring at night, so as to arrange the kindling and fuel in the grate; but the apparatus may be set and the fuel and kindling arranged thereon at any time, and before retiring the kindler or torch 64 may be prepared by saturating the same with oil or inflammable material. It will be also observed that the several parts of the mechanism are made adjustable for the purpose of accommodating the apparatus to It hereinabove described is susceptible of va- .riouS changes in the form, proportions, and

minor details of construction, which may accordingly be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. For example, the torch-bearing arm may be made of any desired length and bent so as to extend beneath the grate or andirons, accordingto the size of the fireplace and other requirements.

In Fig. 12 we have shown a fuel-divider and draft-inducer consisting of a vertical post 94, extending upward from the horizontal portion 95 of the andiron and trifurcated to form legs 96, which will brace the andiron and divider and prevent them from tipping over.

The

post 94 divides the logs as they are deposited on the andirons, and thus leaves a draftspace to facilitate combustion.

If desired, the rest 28 may be provided with a hook 28 to engage an eye (in dotted lines in Fig. 8) at the extremity of the weighted arm of the match-striker instead of hooking the end of said arm into thewood or fuel.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fire building and kindling apparatus, a fuel-carrier, in combination with actuating means for moving the carrier toward a fireplace, depositing the fuel and again v moving the carrier away from the fireplace, substantially as described.

2. In a fire builder and kindler, a gravitating fuel-carrier and means for directing its movement to a fireplace, and away from the same, substantially as described.

3. In a fire builder and kindler, an automatic fuel-carrier operated by gravity and mechanism for causing it to move to a fireplace, deposit the fuel therein and again move away from the fireplace, substantially as described.

4. In a fire builder and kindler, a shaft 0perated by gravity having a rotative and sliding movement in its bearings, in combination with means effected by the gravitation of the shaft for imparting a rotative movement thereto, and a fuel-carrier connected to said shaft and adapted to be swung thereby so as to carry the fuel to a fireplace, deposit the same therein and again move it away from the fireplace, substantially as described.

5. In a fire builder and kindler, a vertical shaft having a rotative and longitudinal movement, in combination with a fuel-carrier connected thereto and adapted to swing about the axis of said shaft, and means for causing the carrier to move to the grate, deposit the fuel therein and again move away from the grate, substantially as described.

6. In a fire builder and kindler, the combination with a rotary and longitudinally-movable shaft, of means for reversing the direction of rotation of said shaft, and a fuel-car-- rier mounted on said shaft so as to swing and descend therewith for carrying the fuel to a fireplace, depositing the same therein and moving away from the fireplace, substantially as described.

'7. In a fire builder and kindler, the combination with a longitudinally-movable vertical shaft, and means for imparting a rotative movement thereto, of a fuel-carrier mounted on and movable with said shaft, and means for adjusting the position of the carrier with respect to said shaft, substantially as described.

8. In a fire builder and kindler, the combination with a longitudinally-m ovable vertical shaft, and means for imparting thereto a rotative movement, of a fuel-carrier mounted thereon, and means for varying the height of the fuel-carrier, for the purpose specified.

9. In a fire builder and kindler, a vertical shaft mounted in bearing-brackets, in combination with a double spiral or screw on said shaft, a nut cooperating with said screw for turning the shaft in one direction and then reversing the direction of rotation thereof, and a fuel-carrier connected to and moving with said shaft, said carrier adapted to be swung through approximately the arc of a half-circle and then reversed and carried back through the arc of a half-circle, substantially as described.

10. In a fire builder and kindler, a fuel-carrying arm adapted to be swung toward and.

away from a fireplace, in combination with a fuel-carrier mounted thereon, and provided with a fuel-rest connected to said carrier for supporting the fiiel, and a trigger adapted to be automatically operated for releasing the fuel-rest, substantially as described.

. 11. In a fire builder and kindler, a fuel-carrier movable toward and away from a fireplace, and provided with a fuel-rest for supporting the fuel, and a trigger on the carrier holding said rest and provided with means adapted to come in contact with the fireplace for releasing the fuel-rest, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. In a fire builder and kindler, an arm movable toward and away from a fireplace, in combination with actuating means therefor, a fuel-carrier on said arm, provided with a fuel-rest pivotally connected to the carrier for supporting the fuel, a trigger for holding and releasing said rest, and a counterbalanceweight for restoring the rest to its normal position after the fuel has been released therefrom, substantially as described.

' 13. In a fire builder and kindler, a carrier movable toward and away from a fireplace, and provided with a fuel-rest in combination with actuating means for the carrier, releasing means for the rest, and an oil-cup connected to the fuel-rest and adapted to be tilted simultaneously with depositing the fuel, substantially as and for the purpose specified. I 14:. In a fire builder and kindler, afuel-carrier provided with a fuel-rest pivotally connected thereto, and means for actuating the carrier toward and away from a fireplace, in combination with an oil-cup supported by the carrier and connected to the fuel-rest so as to be tilted thereby, and a saucer connected to the cup for catching the surplus 16. In a fire builder and kindler, a fuel-carrying arm, and means for swinging the same toward and away from a fireplace, in combination with a fuel-carrier pivotally connected to said arm, substantially as described.

17. In a fire builder and kindler, a fuel-carrying arm, in combination with means for moving said arm toward and away from a fireplace, and a fuel-carrier adjustably mounted on said arm, substantially as described.

18. In a fire builder and kindler, an arm movable toward and away from a fireplace, in combinationwith actuating means therefor, and a fuel-carrier comprising two members mounted on said arm at spaced points and adjustable relatively to each other and longitudinally of said arm,substantially as described.

19. In a fire builder and kindler, an arm movable toward and away from a fireplace, a fuel-carrier mounted thereon, and means for actuating said arm, in combination with a catch on said arm, a trip-lever adapted to engage therewith, and clock mechanism for operating the trip-lever at a predetermined time, substantially as described.

20. In a fire builder and kindler, an arm movable toward and away from afireplace, and a fuel-carrier mounted thereon, in combination with'actuating means for said arm, a trip-lever, clock mechanism for actuating the trip-leveigand a catch adj ustably mounted on said arm and adapted to be engaged by the trip-lever, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

21. In a fire builder and kindler, the combination with a sliding and rotating shaft, of a fuel-carrying arm thereon, a torch-bearing arm, means for actuating the latter, and a release device adapted to hold the torch-bearin g arm and to be operated by the shaft of the fuel-carrying arm, substantiallyas described.

22. In a fire builder and kindler, the combi-' nation with a fuel-carrying arm, and a shaft on which the same is mounted, of actuating means therefor, a torch-bearing arm, actuating means therefor, and a release device adapted to hold the torch-bearin g arm and to be operated by the shaft of the fuel-carrier, substantially as described.

23. In a fire builder and kindler, a fuel-carrier movable toward and away from a fireplace, in combination with a torch, means for moving said torch toward the fireplace, a release device for primarily holding the torch, and means connected with the fuel-carrier for operating said release device, substantially as described. a

24. In a fire builder and kindler, a vertically-movable shaft, and a fuel-carrier carried thereby, in combination with a torch-bearing arm, means for actuating said arm, and a spring-release for holding the torch-bearing arm away from the fireplace, said spring-release being arranged to be actuated by said verticallymoving shaft, substantially as described.

25. In a fire builder and kindler, a Vertically-movable and rotative'shaft, and a fuelcarrier carried thereby, in combination with a socket to receive the lower end of said shaft, a torch-bearing arm mounted on said socket, cooperating means on said torch-bearing arm and socket for actuating said arm, and a holding and releasing device engaging said arm.

der on the shaft, and a hook on said spring for engaging and holding the torch bearing arm, substantially as described.

27. In a fire builder and kindler, a fuel-carrying arm, and a sliding and rotatable shaft to which said arm is secured, in combination with means for actuating said shaft,a fuel-carrier comprising members ad j ustably mounted on said arm, a torch-bearing arm, means for actuating the latter, and means for lengthening and shortening said torch-bearing arm, substantially as described.

28. In a fire builder and kindler, a shaft, a fuel-carrying arm, and means for swinging said arm thereon through approximately the arc of a half-circle, and then reversing the direction of movement of said arm and cans ing it to swing backward through approximately the arc of a half-circle, a torch-bearing arm, means for causing said arm to swing through approximately the arc of a half-circle, and a release device for holding said torch-bearin g arm, the said release device be: ing operated by the shaft of the fuel-carrier when the latter reaches the limit of its return movement, substantially as described.

29. In a fire builder and kindler, the combination with a torch-bearing arm having a notch in its upper side, of a torch or kindler, a stem thereon adapted to rest in the notch of said arm, and shoulders on the stem adapted to lie on opposite sides of the torch-bearing arm, substantially as described.

30. In a fire builder and kindler, the combination with a torch-bearing arm, and automatic actuating means therefor, of a reticu lated kindling-shelf removably mounted on said arm, substantially as described.

31. In a fire builder and kincller, a torchbearing arm provided with transverse openings, and actuating means therefor, in combi nation with a kindling-shelf embodying a wire frame, the ends of which are removably fitted in the openings in the torch-bearing arm, substantially as described.

32. In a fire builder and kindler, an igniting device consisting of a base pivotally mounted IIO at one end and free at the other end, and a match carrier and scratcher carried by the free end of said base, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

33. In afire builder and kindler, anigniting device consisting of a base pivoted atone end and free at the other end, and a match-carrier and scratch-plate mounted upon the free end thereof, whereby the igniting device can be folded out of the way when not in use, substantially as described.

34:. In an igniting device for fire-kindlers, a standard, a bracket thereon, a rock-shaft journaled therein and having a projecting end provided with a transverse opening, an actuating-arm adjustably connected to said shaft and having a bent end portion, a weight adjustably mounted on said end portion, a match-carrier connected to said rock-shaft, and a scratch-plate arranged in the path of the matches, substantially as described.

35. In a fire-kindler, an igniting device, embodying a standard, abracket thereon, a rockshaft, a match-carrier connected rigidly thereto, a scratch-plate arranged in the path of the matches, an actuating-arm adjustably connected to the rock-shaft and having a bent end portion, a weight adjustably mounted on said end portion, and a hook or catch at the extremity of said arm, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

36. An igniting device for fire-kindlers, embodying a rock-shaft, actuating means therefor, a match-carrier connected rigidly to said rock-shaft and comprising plates spaced apart but connected, and having openings to receive matches, and a spring scratch-plate having a narrow end and a Wide end, the matches being adapted to straddle the narrow end while in a position of rest, and to rub against the wide end when released and operated, substantially as described.

37. In a fire builder and kindler, a fuel-carrier, means for moving the same toward a fireplace,depositin g the fuel therein and again moving the carrier away from the fireplace, a torch-carrier, means for actuating the same toward the fireplace, the said means being thrown into operation by and upon the return movement of the fuel-carrier, substantially as described.

'38. In a fire builder and kindler, a fuel-carrier, means for moving the fuel-carrier to a fireplace, depositing its load therein and moving said carrier away'from the fireplace, in combination with a torch or kindler, and means for moving the same to the fireplace, the fuel-carrying means and the torch-moving means being arranged to cooperate for releasing the torch,suostantially as described.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signa-.

tures in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. BREWSTER. RICHARD MONROE GILL.

Witnesses:

O. H. MURPHY, J. K. ATKINSON. 

